General Hafiz Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah formally assumes command of Pakistan Army
RAWALPINDI, Nov 29, (SABAH): General Hafiz Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah assumed charge as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at an impressive change of command ceremony at General Headquarters GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
Outgoing Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa handed over the command stick to General Syed Asim Munir symbolizing the change of command. General Asim Munir is the 17th Chief of the Army Staff.
In his farewell address, Outgoing Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa felicitated Asim Munir’s elevation to the seat of Army Chief, expressing the confidence that his promotion will prove to be highly positive both for the country and Pakistan Army.
He went on to say that his association with General Asim Munir goes back 24 years. General Qamar Javed Bajwa said General Asim Munir is Hafiz-e-Quran, a professional and capable officer and a man of principle. He was confident that under the leadership of Asim Munir, Pakistan Army will achieve more successes and further serve and defend the country.
Reflecting on his military journey, Gen Bajwa said the journey which began several decades ago was now coming to an end. “I am thankful to God that he gave me the opportunity to work for this great army and gave me the opportunity to lead it,” he said, reiterating that it was a “great honour” for him.
He said that during his six-year tenure, the army had always responded to his call regardless of whether it concerned terrorism in different parts of the country or natural calamities. “And when I asked them for sweat, they gave me blood.”
General Bajwa said that the army’s sacrifices were acknowledged by the country’s friends and foes. “I am proud of my army that despite scarce resources, they defend the country’s boundaries from the ice-capped mountains of Siachen to the deserts of Thar.”
General Bajwa also quoted a saying from American military leader Douglas MacArthur, which states: “Old soldiers don’t die, they just fade away.”
“I will also into fade into irrelevance but my spiritual relationship with the army will remain,” he said, ending his speech with prayers for the success of the new army chief and the Pakistan army.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa said he is honored to have served this great Army. He said during his six year tenure as the Army Chief, Pakistan Army tackled challenges be it the situation on the line of control, terrorism or the natural calamities.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa said he is proud of Pakistan Army that despite limited resources it is fulfilling the responsibility of defending each nook and corner of the country.
He said Pakistan today is abode of peace because of our sacrifices which are also acknowledged both by our foe and friends.
“I will soon go into oblivion, but the spiritual connection will always remain with the army,” said General Bajwa.
The ceremony was attended amongst others by Chairman Senate Mir Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, Speaker National Assembly Raja Parvez Ashraf, federal cabinet members Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Rana Sanaullah Khan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sardar Muhammad Israr Tareen, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Chief Ministers of Punjab and Sindh Chaudhry Parvez Ilahi and Syed Murad Ali Shah, Governor Punjab Engineer Mian Muhammad Balighur Rehman, Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Air Chief Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, former CJCSC Zubair Mahmood Hayat, former army chiefs Raheel Sharif, Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Mirza Aslam Baig, high ranking civil and military officials and foreign delegates.
Earlier, General Bajwa was presented guard of honour for the last time as the chief of army staff during the ceremony.
The change of command ceremony marks the time-honoured tradition that symbolises the seamless transition of military leadership.
Before the ceremony, Gen Bajwa visited the Yadgar-e-Shuhda for the last time as chief of army staff. Gen Munir had accompanied him during the visit.
Gen Munir was chosen to lead the country’s army by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on November 24. The summary of his appointment was approved by President Arif Alvi the same day.
Gen Munir was commissioned in the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment in 1986. He passed out with the 17th Officers Training course, Mangla and was awarded the coveted sword of honour.
Before taking charge he was posted as the quartermaster general at the General Head Quarters.
Before taking charge as COAS, Gen Munir was also posted as a directing staff in Command and Staff College, Quetta, brigade major of a deployed infantry brigade in Kel, general staff officer, grade-2, CGS secretariat and chief of staff of Mangla corps.
Gen Munir has commanded the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment, Infantry Brigade, remained as a force commander in Northern Areas, Gilgit.
The incoming army chief has also served as the director general of Military Intelligence (MI).
In 2018, Gen Munir was appointed as the director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and later transferred as corps commander Gujranwala.
After heading the Gujranwala corps, he was posted as quartermaster general which was his last assignment before becoming COAS.
Gen Munir graduated from Fuji school Japan, Command and Staff College, Quetta, Malaysian Armed Forces College, Kuala Lumpur and National Defence University, Islamabad.
The general also has M Phil in Public Policy and Strategic Security Management from National Defence University.
Gen Munir has become the first army chief who has headed both — MI and ISI. He is also the first army chief awarded the Sword of Honour.
Gen Munir is a keen sportsman, avid reader, traveller and also a Hafiz e Quran.